The Stream-entry Buddhist Blog
Long-format Pāli Canon-based Teachings and Essays
by Upāsaka Michael Turner
(f.k.a. Anagārika Pasannacitta)
Buddhist Therapist, Life Coach, and Dharma Trainer
— One-on-One Buddhist Training by Request —
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⚲ this post has been pinned to the top of the blog
Becoming a Stream-enterer is hard. Here's how to do it.As a teacher dedicated to guiding my students toward spiritual progress, I sent a detailed letter to a middle-intermediate Dhamma practitioner and meditator explaining why I am dismissing him from my program. In this letter, I explain the importance of correct and sufficient practice and I outline and detail the harmful nature of the various Wrong Views he subscribes to that are hindering his spiritual progress, such as his attachments to violent entertainment and modern interpretations of the Dhamma, his desire for shortcuts to enlightenment, his reliance on "insight meditation" (vipassana), and his clinging to the myth that the jhānas equate to stream-entry or any other stage of Buddhist enlightenment. I also took the opportunity to explain what Buddhist renunciation truly means for those who are dedicated to achieving stream-entry, a.k.a., awakening; and the critical importance of yonisomanasikāra in the development of Right View and progress along the Buddhist path.
Teacher's Note
Why I am sharing this private letter publicly? In short: because people want awakening, but they are going about it all wrong. I am sharing this letter with others not only because it brings light to what Buddhism actually is — beyond the misrepresentations of Buddhism that are overwhelmingly prevalent today — but also because it serves as a clear manifesto of the approach that I follow in my instruction of the early Buddhist texts (EBT) to my students; with the emphasis being on learning and cultivating the views and practices that slope them toward stream-entry, or beyond. My intention is to provide potential future students with a clear understanding of what they can expect from me and my guidance as someone who successfully coaches veritable stream-enterers. While reading this, it is absolutely necessary to understand that what I teach, and how I teach it, reflects my understanding of where each of my students are along the Buddhist Path and what each one of them needs to hear and do in order to make further progress toward nibbāna. I don't teach them how to get to stream-entry or arahantship as much as I teach them how to make continuous progress from where they are on the spectrum of spiritual development, gradually taking them to higher and higher attainments along the Buddhist Path. In support of that, I don't teach "generally" to any of my students; I teach precisely to each of my students based entirely on their individual needs and abilities. Accordingly, I am holding the student that this letter is directed at to a set of standards that are uniquely appropriate to his level of experience, his current place along the Path, and his personal hindrances — these standards should not be taken to apply to all (or any) of my other students. For additional information on my approach and my teachings, please see this page. (the student's name has been changed for confidentiality)
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Understand Meditation Dukkha Ñāṇa & The Dark Night of the Soul
This article is about stream-entry, also known as awakening. However, to effectively explore this topic, I will first introduce a concept referred to as the "dark night of the soul," an idea that the meditation industry has adopted to describe the emotional or psychological distress practitioners experience after intensive meditation or following a profound spiritual awakening attainment (stream-entry) and the potential pitfalls and dangers of attending extended vipassana meditation retreats. We will explore the Buddha's approach to teaching enlightenment found in the suttas to understand the roles of meditation and the jhānas, along with their connection to stream-entry, the "dark night of the soul," and the "dukkha ñāṇa" phenomena. If you are sincerely interested in attaining stream-entry, this article will be of value to you on your journey.
Everything is made up of Earth, Water, Fire, Air (and Space) Elements – even in the 21st CenturyIn this teaching we dive into the details to review the Four Elements of physical formations, what they are, and how they are relevant to 21st century Buddhist practice and cultivating our understanding of anattā, the Buddhist concept of Nonself. 
A Complete Guide to Idle Speech and Small Talk for BuddhistsIn this practical teaching, I review the lesser-discussed notion of "idle speech," one of the components of Buddhist Right Speech — the third factor of the Noble Eightfold Path. I also detail and provide examples of how practising Buddhists can skilfully engage in everyday small talk with people in ways that promote harmony, mutual respect, and deeper connections. 
What does the Dhamma-Vinaya have to say about monastics who employ wrong speech when sharing or discussing the Dhamma? Is this ever OK?In this short "dharma bite," I answer this single question. 
How to generate genuine feelings of love and compassion while meditating.Most people are doing mettā meditation (i.e., loving-kindness meditation) ineffectively. Why is this? Because there are very few people who are actually teaching others how to do it correctly, and many of them are hidden away in Buddhist monasteries. In this article + audio dharma talk I provide clear instructions to make your practice more effective for progress toward Buddhist Enlightenment. 
How to use Right Speech to Give Constructive FeedbackIn this teaching, I share how Buddhists can use the teachings of Buddhist Right Speech and Mindfulness to offer unsolicited advice to others, skilfully and kindly, and in ways that promote harmony, mutual respect, and appreciation from and for the people whom we have around us. 
Stop falling asleep while you try to meditate.Do you find yourself getting drowsy or falling asleep when you are trying to meditate? Unfortunately this affects many people. In this brief teaching, we will review the value of meditating with purpose and how to address the common complaint of "I keep falling asleep when I meditate, what can I do to stay awake?" And what to do if your attempts to stay alert fail. 
Stress and anxiety are signs that you're doing something wrong.In this article, we will cover what the Eight Worldly Concerns are and how they relate to your pursuit of happiness and your freedom from worry, stress, and anxiety. 
What is Karma really? Is our life predetermined or do we have agency? And what does it have to do with who we are or what we experience?
'What is karma' explained by a Buddhist teacherIn this short article, we will cover what Karma is and what it isn't; how it relates to destiny and free-will; and, its relationship to your happiness and your peace-of-mind. 
How to practice Buddhism explained by a Buddhist teacher - Enlightenment is a real thingIn this reply to a student question, I cover the basics of making real progress with your dharma and meditation practice; how to cultivate it; and, why doing so is so important to attaining Awakening and Enlightenment. Because this is an email to a student, it assumes a certain understanding of Buddhism on the part of the reader.  In this Q&A, we will learn about how Buddhists view and approach the teachings on kindness, tolerance, acceptance, and patience with others.
Compassion vs Pity Explained by a Buddhist TeacherCompassion and pity are commonly misunderstood. And this is equally relevant to both Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. While entire schools of Buddhism are anchored on the concept of compassion, and many compendia have been written on the topic, in this article we learn what they are, how they affect you, and how to adopt an easy way to spot the difference between them. The Altruistic Intention: What People Get Wrong About Buddhism, Enlightenment, and Bodhisattvas.11/2/2020 
What everyone gets wrong about The Altruistic Intention explainedIn this article we will (1) learn about the Buddhist Altruistic Intention: what it is, what it isn't, and how it applies to Bodhisattvas and to your practice. We will also briefly (2) review what Buddhist enlightenment is and what it means to be "enlightened." 
Stop meditating wrong.In this article, we will cover what's wrong with western meditation, how to fix your practice, and why it's so important to attaining Awakening and Enlightenment. 
Buddhist Renunciation explained by a Buddhist teacherIn this short article, we will cover what Renunciation is and what it isn't for lay-practitioners; how to cultivate it; and, why it's so important to attaining Awakening and Enlightenment. (Note: after you read this article, if you wish to learn more about what Renunciation means for deeply dedicated Buddhist practitioners, read this.) 
Struggling to understand Emptiness? Read this.Emptiness is an challenging topic for the uninitiated and it presents an almost impossible learning curve to beginners who are just starting to explore the Buddhist path. In this article we make some sense out of it and understand its place in your practice toward Buddhist Enlightenment. 
Embracing Life by letting go of DeathWhat is the point of thinking about death? Is it morbid or is it useful? And how can it be used by non-Buddhists to cope with dying, death, or loss? 
What is analytical meditation and how to do it correctly?Analytical meditation is a very powerful, yet simple-to-understand practice. In this article we discuss what it is, how it works, and why it's such an important part of any mediation practice. 
How to practice Buddhism explained by a Buddhist teacherA brief article on how to use Buddhist texts to make progress in your practice. |
The Teacher
Michael Turner, teacher and former Buddhist anagārika.
"The only thing that prevents people from awakening, stream-entry, and directly experiencing the stages of enlightenment is incorrect instruction and/or insufficient practice."
– Michael Turner Hello! My name is Michael Turner (my Dhamma name is Upāsaka Pasannacitta).
I am an Early Buddhism mentor, ariya-puggala (sakadāgāmi), therapist, coach, Buddhist precept holder, and I spent eight years living and working as a Buddhist anagārika, a pre-monastic renunciant. I work with dedicated Buddhist practitioners of all levels, from beginners to advanced, to help them attain measurable progress toward happiness and nibbāna. This kind of one-on-one training is uncommon for most lay practitioners. If you are interested, please visit my coaching page or training page to learn more, or contact me to discuss becoming a Buddhist trainee today. Categories
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If you would like to assist me in my studies or support my life as a devoted Buddhist please consider donating a dhamma e-book from my Amazon wishlist, found here:
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Michael Turner is a sakadāgāmi and a former Buddhist anagārika. He is also a deeply accomplished stream-entry mentor, applied-dharma coach, and Buddhist therapist. He emphasises and teaches the practical application of the Buddha's teachings in our everyday lives to overcome the problems that stand in the way of making measurable progress toward Buddhist enlightenment and he is particularly adept at explaining them in ways that can be easily understood and practiced by Western Buddhists. He has been meditating and cultivating the views and techniques that generate indestructible resilience, inner-strength, and direct experience for almost 30 years and has helped countless numbers of students and peers enhance and course-correct their practice to make veritable progress along the path toward Nibbāna.
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